Mayor Greg Nickels Statement regarding Clay Bennett announcement
"Seattle and KeyArena have been home to the Sonics -- and more recently
the Storm -- for 40 years. I want that tradition to continue.
I am outraged at today's actions by Sonics' owner Clay Bennett.
There have always been sensible options available to Mr. Bennett if he
wanted to keep the Sonics and Storm at KeyArena. Today's actions make
it clear that has never been his intention.
My door has been open, is open and remains open to Mr. Bennett but he
has refused to meet. Typically, people acting in good faith engage in a
conversation before seeking arbitration.
My position remains the same: I will do everything in my power to
enforce the contract keeping the Sonics and Storm where they belong --
in Seattle and in KeyArena."